Twin ice stick sand toy

ABSTRACT

A child&#39;&#39;s sand toy having individual take apart structural members which have separate utility in connection with sand play. The toy comprises a simulated twin ice stick treat having a pair of trapezoidal shaped base members and cooperating covers which together simulate the ice portions of the treat. Simulated sticks are secured to the base members and function as handles. One base member serves as a sand mold, the other serves as a sand scoop. Each base member has a cover one of which is reticulated for sifting sand and the other of which includes teeth for raking sand. The base members may be removably attached to one another to form the simulated twin ice stick.

United States Patent 11 1 1111 3,807,084

Keces Apr. 30, 1974 [54] TWIN ICE STICK SAND TOY Primary Examiner-Louis G. Mancene Assistant ExaminerRobert F. Cutting [75] Inventor. Mervyn L. Keces, Highland Park, Ill. Attorney, g or Firm Ger a1 d M Newman [73] Assignee: Tarrson Company, Chicago, Ill.

[22] F1led: Jan. 9, 1973 [57] ABSTRACT 21 A 1. No.: 322 176 I 1 pp A childs sand toy having individual take apart structural members which have separate utility in connec- U-S- Cl- R, (ion sand play The toy omprises a imulated [5 llolt. twin ice stick treat having a pair of trapezoidal haped [58] Field of Search 46/1 R, 11, 22 ba ber and cooperating covers which together simulate the ice portions of the treat. Simulated sticks References Cited are secured to the base members and function as han- UNITED STATES PATENTS dles. One base member serves as a sand mold, the 1,600,616 9/1926 Bernard 46/1-R (her Serves as a Sand P- Each base member has a 2,451,711 10 1943 Beder cover one of which is reticulated for sifting sand and 3,018,583 1/1962 Novotney 46/22 the other of which includes teeth for raking sand. The 3,359,677 12/1967 Helper 46/11 base members may be removably attached t one other to form the simulated twin ice stick.

9 Claims, 4 Drawing Figures TWIN ICE STICK SAND TOY SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION This invention relates in general to toys for children and in particular relates to toys for use by children when playing with sand or other material. More particularly, this invention relates to a take-apart sand toy which simulates a twin ice stick treat and wherein each of the parts have separate utility in connection with sand play.

Children typically enjoy playing with sand and similar materials. Such play is rendered much more enjoyable when using various implements to scoop, carry, mold, sift and rake the sand. The invention contributes to the enjoyment of children when playing with sand by providing a take-apart sand toy which visually simulates a childs delicacy or treat in the form of a twin ice stick or Popsicle stick wherein each of the parts comprising the assembled twin ice stick have separate utility in sand play.

In the take-apart sand toy of the invention, one of the ice sticks form a cavity for carrying and molding sand and includes a reticulated cover member which may be used as a sieve for sifting sand. The other simulated ice stick includes a base member having an open end wall which may be used to scoop or shovel sand and includes a top or cover member having a number of teeth along the front wall. This cover member may be grasped by the child and used to rake sand.

Accordingly, the primary object of this invention is to provide a novel childs sand toy.

Another object of the invention is to provide a novel childs sand toy simulating a twin ice stick wherein the ice stick may be taken apart, disassembled and used separately in sand play.

Another object of this invention is to provide a childs sand toy having a number of elements each of which have separate utility in sand play and which may be assembled to form a simulated twin ice stick.

Other objects of this invention will become apparent from an understanding of the following description taken in conjunction with accompanying drawings wherein:

DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a three dimensional partially cut-away perspective view of the take-apart sand toy of the invention in its assembled condition simulating a twin ice stick;

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional elevational view of the twin base members and covers on an enlarged scale taken along sectionline 22 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a laterally exploded three-dimensional perspective view illustrating the separate elements of the take-apart sand toy of the invention;

FIG. 4 is an elevational cross-sectional view of the take-apart sand toy of the invention taken along off-set section line 4-4 of FIG. 1.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION Referring now to the drawings, the take-apart sand toy of the invention, generally referred by reference number 10, is seen to comprise a right member 12 and a similarly shaped left member 14 which may be removably attached to each other by a latching mechanism 16 which will be described in greater detail hereafter. The entire structure is preferably molded of strong, durable plastic material such as polypropolene which is highly resistant to bending, crushing and other rough handling which the toy may receive when used by children.

Right member 12 includes a base member 18 formed by a right side wall 20, a left side wall 22, a small end wall 24, a top wall 26, and a lower bottom wall 28. Side walls 20-22 are tapered from bottom to top in a manner such that end wall 24 is larger than top wall 26. The four side walls together with the bottom wall form a cavity which may be used to carry or mold sand.

A handle 30 is intricately molded or attached to the exterior surface of end wall 24 and extends in a direction away from the end wall. The handle simulates the stick of one side of a twin ice stick and also functions as a handle when utilizing base member 18 to carry or mold sand.

Left member 14 is constructed in a similar manner and includes a right side wall 32, a left said wall 34, an end wall 36 and a bottom wall 38 all of which are integrally molded together. As clearly seen in FIG. 3 of the drawings, left member 14 does not include a top or front wall similar to top wall 26 of right member 12, but, instead includes tapered edges 40-42 formed at the top edge of sidewalls 3234 to form a scoop or shovel which may be used to dig or shovel sand. A hollow handle 44 is molded integrally with end wall 36 to provide a convenient handle for the scoop or shovel. The interior surfaces of side walls 3234 include vertical ribs 46-48 to provide additional strength to the side walls.

Right member 12 further includes a cover member 50 comprising a top wall 52 having a reticulated surface 53, short side walls 54-56 and end walls 58-60. The edges of walls 54, 56, 58 and 60 are rabbetted at 62 to form a deep depending narrow lip 64 adapted to be received by walls 20, 22, 24 and 26 of base member 18. The dimensions of top member 50 and edges 62 are such that a friction fit is created between top member 50 and bottom 18 so that the top is frictionally secured to the bottom when so assembled.

Similarly, the base member 14 is provided with a cover member comprising long side walls 72-74 and a short end wall 76. In place of a front wall, a plurality of teeth 78 are provided which extend downwardly from an integral upper side wall 80 and include tapered corner segments 82-84 which mate with tapered edges 40-42 of base member 14. 7

Cover member 70 also includes a rabbetted edge 86 forming a lip 88 at the three edges of its periphery which frictionally engage the inner side walls of left member 14 in the same manner as described with respect to the right member.

The twin ice stick sand toy of the invention also includes a latch 16 for releasably securing one ice stick to the other. More particularly, as it is best seen in FIGS. 2 and 3, the latch includes a receiving element 90 having a generally rectangular shape including a side wall 92 and end walls 94-96. The latch receiving member is closed by a bottom wall 98 and also includes a cylindrical tab 100 on the interior surface of side wall 92.

The mating portion of the latch, referred to by reference numeral 102 is L-shaped and comprises a horizontally extending top wall 104 secured to the top edge of wall 32 and further includes a depending side wall 106 which forms a tongue. Latching members 90 and 102 are constructed such that tongue 106 is received by the latch 90 and the members are dimensioned to effect a friction fit suitable for maintaining the left and right members in a firm but releasable manner.

What has been described as a childs sand toy having individual take-apart structural members, each of which have separate utility in connection with sand play and which, when assembled, simulate a twin ice stick treat. More particularly, the right member forms a cavity for use in carrying and molding sand and has a reticulated top which may be used as a sand sieve. The left member comprises a rake having individual teeth which may be used by the child to rake sand.

It is obvious that upon study by those skilled in the art, the disclosed invention may be altered or modified both in physical appearance andin construction without departing from its inventive concept. Therefore, the scope of protection to be given this invention should not be limited by the embodiment described above but should be determined by the essential descriptions thereof which appear in the appended claims.

I claim:

1. A childs sand toy comprising a first base member defining a cavity suitable for molding sand; a second base member forming a scoop suitable for scooping sand and having an exterior shape similar to that of said first base member; cover members adapted to be received by each of said respective base members in covering relation to their respective open sides, and means for removably attaching one of said base members to the other.

2. A childs sand toy as set forth in claim 1 wherein said cover members comprise separate elements and wherein one of said cover members includes a reticulated wall suitable for sifting sand.

3. A childs sand toy as set forth in claim 2 wherein the other of said cover members includes a solid upper wall and a front wall forming a plurality of teeth for raking sand.

4. A childs sand toy as set forth in claim 3 wherein each of said base members have a generally rectangular shape and wherein each base member includes an integral handle at one end.

5. A childs sand toy as set forth in claim 4 wherein said base and cover members, when fully assembled, simulate a twin ice stick treat.

6. A childs sand toy comprising a first trapezoidal shaped base member having two side walls, two end walls and an integral bottom wall forming a sand mold; a second trapezoidal shaped base member having two side walls, one end wall and an integrally molded bottom wall forming a sand scoop; means for covering the open sides of said base members and means for removably attaching one of said base member to the other.

7. A childs sand toy as set forth in claim 6 wherein said cover means comprise a first cover member having a reticulated wall for covering the open side wall of said first base member and a second cover wall member having a solid wall and an end wall including a plurality of teeth adapted to form a closure for said open side wall and end wall of the second base member.

8. A childs sand toy as set forth in claim 7 including additionally, an integrally molded handle extending from adjacent end walls of each of said base members.

9. A childs sand toy as set forth in claim 8 wherein the side walls of each of said base members are tapered inwardly in a direction from the end whereat the handle is attached, to the opposite end thereof. 

1. A child''s sand toy comprising a first base member defining a cavity suitable for molding sand; a second base member forming a scoop suitable for scooping sand and having an exterior shape similar to that of said first base member; cover members adapted to be received by each of said respective base members in covering relation to their respective open sides, and means for removably attaching one of said base members to the other.
 2. A child''s sand toy as set forth in claim 1 wherein said cover members comprise separate elements and wherein one of said cover members includes a reticulated wall suitable for sifting sand.
 3. A child''s sand toy as set forth in claim 2 wherein the other of said cover members includes a solid upper wall and a front wall forming a plurality of teeth for raking sand.
 4. A child''s sand toy as set forth in claim 3 wherein each of said base members have a generally rectangular shape and wherein each base member includes an integral handle at one end.
 5. A child''s sand toy as set forth in claim 4 wherein said base and cover members, when fully assembled, simulate a twin ice stick treat.
 6. A child''s sand toy comprising a first trapezoidal shaped base member having two side walls, two end walls and an integral bottom wall forming a sand mold; a second trapezoidal shaped base member having two side walls, one end wall and an integrally molded bottom wall forming a sand scoop; means for covering the open sides of said base members and means for removably attaching one of said base member to the other.
 7. A child''s sand toy as set forth in claim 6 wherein said cover means comprise a first cover member having a reticulated wall for covering the open side wall of said first base member and a second cover wall member having a solid wall and an end wall including a plurality of teeth adapted to form a closure for said open side wall and end wall of the second base member.
 8. A child''s sand toy as set forth in claim 7 including additionally, an integrally molded handle extending from adjacent end walls of each of said base members.
 9. A child''s sand toy as set forth in claim 8 wherein the side walls of each of said base members are tapered inwardly in a direction from the end whereat the handle is attached, to the opposite end thereof. 